Science Fiction/Fantasy’s Sub-genres:

Utopian Literature  Literally translated means “no place” and “good place”  Definition: A place/state/world that is ideally perfect  Coined by Sir Thomas More  Characteristics: equality for all social harmony economic prosperity political stability prescriptive

Types of Utopias  The paradise  The externally altered world  The willed transformation  The technological transformation  None of these are mutually exclusive.

“Peach Blossom Spring”

 Why can this short story be considered a utopia?  Identify some characteristics of the genre.  What is the author’s opinion of perfection?  Which type of utopia is described?

“Ecotopia”  Why does Weston struggle to deal with the citizens of Ecotopia?  What do you make of the interaction between Weston and the military man at the bottom of page 218?  Why is citizen pride so important to society?  Why does one group of skiers wear ragged clothing, carry homemade backpacks, and old fashioned skis?  Would you be interested in living in Ecotopia? Why?

On a piece of paper, respond to the following statements:  Define perfect in your own words.  Describe your perfect world in detail. Consider the government and laws in your society ○ How does the government maintain order, if there is any order in your society? Consider human interactions – what are they like?  Is your world attainable? How?  These responses should be roughly 1 handwritten page long and are due tomorrow.

The Line Between Utopia & Dystopia  Thin line between utopia and dystopia Dependent on perspective Irony Both display extremes

Dystopian Literature  Literally translated as “not good place  Definition: A place/state/world that appears perfect, but in reality is oppressive and controlling  Cointed by John Stewart Mill

Dystopian Characteristics  use propaganda  independent thought and freedom are restricted  conformity is expected  nature is feared  one person/thing is worshipped  social castes  surveillance and paranoia  illusion of a utopia

Dystopian Characteristics … again Dystopian ControlsDystopian Protagonist  corporate control  bureaucratic control  technological control  philosophical/religious control  outsider  questions social and political norms and systems  allows audience to see flaws through his/her perspective

4 Types of Dystopias  The hell  The externally altered world  The willed transformation  The technological transformation

Pop-Culture Dystopias  1984 by George Orwell  Animal Farm by George Orwell  The Time Machine by H. G. Wells  The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood  A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess  “The Stepford Wives”  “Planet of the Apes”  “The Matrix”  “Terminator”  “I, Robot”  “RoboCop”  “The Walking Dead”